Hi guys,

My mum is visiting me in December and I would like to organise a one day BEGINNERS ski package. Last year I went on one with Outdoor Interlaken and it was fantastic. The price included hire of all equipment, a english speaking instructor etc. I am happy to go with OI again but they require 4 people to attend and there will only be 3 of us. Also they are a little more expensive than is ideal for me at the moment (I am planning to pay for mum and Stepdad too). I live in Canton Solothurn but do have a car. Does anyone know of anything similar to the package that OI offer?

Many thanks,

Dani

Not sure what exactly is the key point you're looking for. Is it just that everything's arranged for you, or is it that you're looking for a cheaper deal than lesson, rental and ticket bought separately?

Prime ski school in Engelberg, where my wife's a part-time instructorv (and I will be later in the season), can certainly arrange a to get you all kitted out with rental gear, a lift pass and an instructor. Prices would be for a private lesson, where they charge a base rate for the time plus chf30 per extra person http://www.prime-engelberg.ch. Lift pass (chf26 for the most likely beginners area) and ski rental (from around chf30) would be on top of that, of course.

Let me know if you want more details.

Hi there, thanks for sharing the info. About Engelberg skiing - do you know when they're expecting their first snow? When will the first runs be open this year? We're just advanced beginners really, so any snow will do for now

As much as i dont want to take away a potential earnings of Mrs Ace1, i must say that Engelberg is not the right place for novice skiiers imo.

cheers
SC

I did one lesson (Prime, Engelberg) as a total (never worn skis before) beginner last February and it seemed fine to me. I'd say it was perfect for beginners.

First skiing was mid October, on the Glacier. Currently the lifts are closed for maintenance, until Saturday. Sadly, there's been no more snow for weeks now, so it's still only the glacier that will be open unless/until a big dump or two arrives.

The only place I could recommend right now is Zermatt, especially the slopes on the Italian side (Cervinia). Superb conditions last week, and presumably still now, as it's remained cold enough. I'll be back there in ten days with a group, and have no worries about finding enough skiing for them

Hey, there's two of us qualified now, you know! Not that there's much 'earning' involved in ski lessons

But in any case, I wouldn't entirely agree - for absolute novices it's actually pretty damned good, with the easily accessible Klostermatt area, complete with moving carpet lifts, being as good a nursery area as you'll find anywhere. After a few days there one can move up the mountain to Gerschnialp, to progress onto something slightly steeper; it's really only after that stage that skiing becomes more limited, with only a couple of cruisy-type runs, plus lots of steeper reds.

But with the right local knowledge it does offer something for everyone, even if not very much for the beginner->intermediate transition phase.

Who was your teacher? That's the ski school we work with.

I don't remember; we just walked into the office and got some guy for two hours. Spent it all not even going on the "magic carpet" - just sideways-walking up and skiing (and sometimes falling) down.

Perhaps the rope tow at Truebsee will be open from this weekend. This gives great novice learner terrain to get started for anyone who can't wait.

Hi - I am not giving up my day job so don't worry about my livelihood.

Engelberg has perfect learning terrain with an instructor - having taught there for 2 seasons I am convinced of this (and knowing many ski resorts globally). What you lack in Engelberg is easy motorway cruising slopes for solo practice and confidence building once you leave the learning slopes (Klostematt and Gerschnialp). What Engelberg does, however offer is that the learning areas are separate and not 'ski through' going from one place to another for more experienced skiers; this can be the case for some resorts and is not optimal for a novice.

For confidence building motorway cruising go to Davos/Klosters, Gstaad, Sorenberg, Grindewald, Adelboden etc. or even USA.

does Prime also do snowboarding lessons in Engleberg?

Maybe Flumserberg

http://www.flumserberg.ch/winter/en/...wboard+School/

http://www.flumserberg.ch/winter/de/.../Skischule.htm

I agree - Engleberg is perfect for beginners.

No, but there's a very good independent school they work in partnership with. http://www.boardlocal.ch/index.php/swiss-snowboardschool.html
Don't be put off by the German website - they do have good english-speaking instructors too.